Attachable traffic barrier amenities

ABSTRACT

A system of attachments for mounting on traffic barriers includes planters, signage, utility encasements, benches, lighting, fences, railings, etc. The attachments may be mounted on a traffic barrier, for example, by two downwardly depending support flanges that couple to the barrier and act to secure the attachments into place.

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. provisionalapplication Ser. No. 60/460,262, filed Apr. 4, 2003, which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to traffic barriers and,more particularly, to concrete traffic barriers that are used to controltraffic typically in and around urban areas.

[0003] The proliferation and use of traffic barriers for not only theirintended use, but for security around government buildings, nationalmonuments, office buildings and the like, has led to a need to improveboth the aesthetics and the function of such barriers.

[0004] The most commonly used of these barriers, is the ‘New Jersey’barrier, which was created for the separation of traffic on highways orin other locations for dividing traffic either pedestrian or vehicularfrom other traffic. Its weight, portability, and ease of manufacturehave made it a simple solution for providing immediate public safety.Therefore it has become commonplace to see these barriers alonghighways, near construction sites, outside airports, etc. As the use ofthese barriers expands outside their original intent, it becomesapparent that these products were not created with the same aesthetic orarchitectural considerations that have gone into those buildings orpublic spaces that they are meant to protect.

[0005] It is therefore desirable to create elements that enhance thefunction of the concrete barrier and do so in a more aestheticallypleasing manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention looks to expand traffic barriers beyondtheir commonly understood application and to utilize them as afoundation for providing streetscape improvements and, thereby, enhancethe function or aesthetic of the concrete barrier and the space theyoccupy. The overall concept for the invention is to create a series ofrelatively light, modular, and interchangeable components for attachingto traffic barriers in an effort to increase and expand the use andflexibility of these concrete products that are otherwise rigid in theirform and adaptability. The culmination of the invention, incorporated asplanter, handrail, signage, etc., allows the creation of an instant parkor public space through the use of concrete barriers as the base. It isthe ability of the invention, to take concrete barriers and to use themas a structural foundation for a more aesthetically pleasingenvironment.

[0007] In one embodiment of the invention, objects are mounted toconcrete barriers to expand the function of the concrete barriers.Examples of objects to be mounted to the barriers include planters,signage, and handrails, which are mounted to the barrier by employing anattachment. The attachment includes downwardly depending flanges thatstraddle and rest securely atop the barrier. These objects in theirvarious embodiments provide an aesthetic and/or functional benefit tothe barrier and its environment. The predicted applications for theinvention are within the fields of facility management, landscapearchitecture, event planning, construction, traffic management, andpublic/pedestrian safety.

[0008] Accordingly, it is an aspect of the invention to provideattachments to traffic barriers and, more particularly, attachments thatenhance the performance or use of the barriers. Once created, such aninvention has applications to areas in which both public safety andstreetscape aesthetics can be improved upon, such as construction sites,parking lots and airports. To create both functional and aestheticenhancements to the use of traffic barriers, the present invention takesadvantage of the rather standardized dimensions of concrete highwaybarriers. The downwardly depending flanges allow the invention tostraddle the barrier, creating an easy-to-apply attachment that allowsvarious objects to be attached to enhance both the form and the functionof the barriers.

[0009] The attachments are novel in their ability to straddle barriers,and enhance the utility of the barrier, rather than to be merelyfastened onto the barrier.

[0010] In order to accommodate the various uses and environments inwhich the barriers are used, it is necessary for the present inventionto be easily attachable to a barrier. Therefore it is another aspect ofthe invention to be a retro-fit attachment to barriers.

[0011] Since the most commonly used barriers are the New Jersey-types,it is another aspect of the invention to utilize New Jersey-typebarriers of standard configuration as the foundation upon whichattachments that provide aesthetic or functional benefits will beinstalled.

[0012] Understanding that the present invention and its employ of anattachment that straddles the barrier create opportunities with which toenhance the performance of the barrier, it is another aspect of theinvention to provide aesthetic attachments to the barrier. Theattachments could incorporate or take the form of ornaments, planters,or handrails, with their placement upon the barriers providing animmediate aesthetic improvement to the barrier and its surroundings.

[0013] Similarly, it is another aspect of the invention to providefunctional benefits, such as attachments that serve as signage, bikeracks, benches, utility encasements (electricity and plumbing), toolstorage, lighting, fencing, and walls, whose placement upon the barriersprovide an immediate additional function to the barrier and its originalintent.

[0014] The present invention, in its various embodiments, suggests theability to be interlocked and interchanged with other embodiments of thesame invention. Therefore, it is another aspect of the invention to beof interlocking components. In this regard, attachments are secured toeach other, for example through couplers or fasteners—both horizontally(as they fit next to each other along the top of the barrier) andvertically (as they snap into the base attachment).

[0015] In its original embodiment, the present invention has twodownwardly depending flanges that allow the attachment to straddle thebarrier and provide the main means of affixing the attachment onto thebarrier. Therefore, it is an aspect of the invention to be temporaryattachments that are placed on the barrier itself and held into placethrough friction and gravity and as a result provide temporary aestheticor functional benefits to the particular barrier.

[0016] Since the straddling method only provides the primary means forbeing attached to the barrier, in some applications there may be a needto have a secondary means of securing the attachment to the barrier.Therefore, it is another aspect of the invention to have the ability tobe pinned, screwed or bolted into place on the barrier itself, and as aresult, the attachment is able to provide a more permanent aesthetic orfunctional benefit to the particular barrier.

[0017] The present invention is to be used in connection with a numberof other attachments. Therefore, it is another aspect of this inventionto be modular and configurable, so as to allow for a number ofpermutations in the combination and linkage of the barriers andattachments, one with another.

[0018] These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of theinvention will become more apparent from the study of the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 is a perspective of an attachment of the present inventionillustrating two downwardly depending flanges that will allow theattachment to straddle and mount securely to a traffic barrier;

[0020]FIG. 1A is a cross-section view of the present invention takenalong line IA-IA of FIG. 1;

[0021]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective of the attachment of FIG. 1 anda traffic barrier;

[0022]FIG. 2A is an elevation of the attachment mounted on the barrier;

[0023]FIG. 3 is a perspective of the attachment of FIG. 1 mounted on atraffic barrier with the attachment incorporating a planter;

[0024]FIG. 3A is an elevation of the attachment and planter mounted on atraffic barrier of FIG. 3;

[0025]FIG. 3B is a section view of the attachment taken along lineIIIB-IIIB of FIG. 3;

[0026]FIG. 4 is a perspective of the attachment of FIG. 1 mounted to abarrier with the attachment incorporating an ornamental handrail;

[0027]FIG. 4A is an elevation of the attachment and handrail atop thebarrier;

[0028]FIG. 4B is a section view of the handrail taken along lineIVB-IVB;

[0029]FIG. 5 is a partial exploded perspective view of the attachmentand barrier of FIG. 2 with the attachment incorporating interchangeableornamental elements;

[0030]FIG. 5A is a partial fragmentary elevation of the attachment andbarrier of FIG. 5;

[0031]FIG. 6 is a perspective of another embodiment of an attachment ofthe present invention wherein the attachment comprises a bench;

[0032]FIG. 6A is an elevation of the attachment and the barrier of FIG.6;

[0033]FIG. 7 is a perspective of the attachment of FIG. 1 of the presentinvention with the attachment incorporating lights;

[0034]FIG. 7A is an elevation of the attachment and barrier of FIG. 7;

[0035]FIG. 8 is a perspective of the present invention with theattachment incorporating interchangeable signage and their placement onthe barrier of FIG. 2;

[0036]FIG. 8A is cross-section of the invention housing the signage atopthe barrier taken along line IIIVA-IIIVA of FIG. 8;

[0037]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the present invention with anattachment incorporating an encasement or organizer for utilities(plumbing/electrical) and their placement on the barrier of FIG. 2;

[0038]FIG. 9A is an elevation of the utility encasement and its positionon the barrier;

[0039]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the present invention with theattachment of FIG. 1 incorporating an armature for walls, fences orsignage and their placement on the barrier of FIG. 2;

[0040]FIG. 10A is an elevation of the attachment and armature on thebarrier;

[0041]FIG. 11 is an exploded section view taken along line XI-XI of FIG.3 of mounting openings of the present invention as it would be joinedwith a planter attachment upon the barrier;

[0042]FIG. 11A is a cross-section view taken along line XIA-XIA of FIG.3 of the attachments and barrier assembled;

[0043]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of four attachments of the presentinvention illustrating the interchangeable capabilities of the presentinvention and its placement on the barrier of FIG. 2;

[0044]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the present invention with theattachment incorporating a securing method, i.e., screwing, which wouldaffix the attachment to the barrier in FIG. 2;

[0045]FIG. 13B is an elevation view of the attachment and barrier ofFIG. 13 illustrating screws as they would enter the barrier through theattachment;

[0046]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the present invention of anattachment incorporating a ‘snap-to-fit’ component for placement on aredesigned version of a traffic barrier with mounting surfaces toaccommodate the attachments from above;

[0047]FIG. 14A is section view of the mountable barrier with the‘snap-to-fit’ attachment;

[0048]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the present invention with anattachment incorporating ‘slide-to-fit’ components for placement on aversion of a traffic barrier that utilizes grooves to accommodate theattachments from the side;

[0049]FIG. 15A is an elevation of the grooved barrier and the‘slide-to-fit’ attachments;

[0050]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the invention with the attachmentincorporating a planter in combination with two barriers in FIG. 2;

[0051]FIG. 16A is an elevation of the planter straddling two barriers;

[0052]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the present invention with theattachment incorporating a planter designed at an angle to fit atop twobarriers arranged at an angle with respect to each other;

[0053]FIG. 17A is an elevation view of the planter atop the two angledbarriers;

[0054]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the present invention with anattachment incorporating a planter/signage two-part assembly as it wouldfit over the barrier in FIG. 2; and

[0055]FIG. 18A is an elevation of the two-part assembly of FIG. 18 atopa barrier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0056] Referring to FIG. 1, the numeral 10 generally designates anattachment 10 of the present invention, which is configured and arrangedfor mounting and optionally securing to a concrete traffic barrier 12(FIG. 2). As will be more fully described below, attachment 10 forms aprimary attachment that facilitates the enhancement of the utilityand/or aesthetic appearance of the barrier by providing the barrier withone or more mounting surfaces that permit various objects, such asplanters, signs, handrails, etc., which form secondary attachments, tobe mounted to the barrier. It is an aspect of the invention to providean attachment that includes or incorporates, other objects or elements,such as signage, planters, etc. Therefore, there are characteristics ofthe present invention illustrated in FIG. 1 to show this utility.

[0057] In the illustrated embodiment, attachment 10 includes a pair ofdownwardly depending flanges or portions 10 a and 10 b that straddlebarrier 12. Flanges 10 a and 10 b are interconnected at their upper endsby a web 10 c, which also acts as a horizontal support surface,including a planar support surface, to stabilize the attachment atop thebarrier. The mounting surfaces noted above may be provided at web 10 cor by flanges 10 a and 10 b. In the present embodiment, web 10 cincludes at least one mounting opening 10 d and preferably a pluralityof mounting openings 10 d, 10 e, 10 f for receiving couplers, forexample, couplers 14 a of planter 14, as will be more fully describedbelow. As would be understood, the openings 10 d, 10 e, 10 f on the topportion of attachment 10 permit various objects or products to beaffixed to attachment 10 from above. Flanges 10 a and 10 b also form anoutwardly facing framework 10 g for holding and displaying verticalplanar elements in place within each of the respective flanges. Verticalplanar elements, such as signs, decorative panels, or the like, may beadded and inserted from above the attachment and placed within two ‘U’shaped side channels 10 h, 10 r of frame 10 g that make up the outsidewalls of the frame of the respective flange 10 a, 10 b. As a result ofthe channels, any elements added to the frame are held in placelaterally and rest securely within a channel 10 i located at the bottomof the frame 10 g per the illustration in FIG. 1A. The added elementsare viewed through the front opening 10 j of the frame 10 g, and heldgenerally upright at the front side of the flange 10 b.

[0058]FIG. 1A is a cross section view of the attachment and illustratesmounting opening 10 e across the upper horizontal planar surface 101, aswell as the bottom channels 10 i within which any added vertical planarelements will rest.

[0059] To secure attachment 10 to barrier 12, attachment 10 includes oneor more mounting openings. For example, flanges 10 a and 10 b may havemounting openings provided at their bottom portions 10 m, 10 t, 10 s,which illustrates the present invention's capability to be more securelymounted and fixed to the traffic barrier through means of bolting,pinning or screwing. Also mounting openings 10 d, 10 e, and 10 f may beused to secure attachment 10 to barrier 12. In this manner, web 10 c canact as a mounting surface for not only objects but for connecting thebarrier and the attachment together through mounting openings, such as10 d. These characteristics will be discussed and illustrated in moredetail throughout the following drawings and descriptions.

[0060] Attachment 10 is structured with a raised chamber 10 n thatserves both as a web 10 c to house mounting openings and as a mountingstructure itself, as noted above. The inverted chamber 10 n that iscreated by the mounting structure acts to hold into place couplingmechanisms from objects mounted to it from above and provides one halfof a coupling mechanism. As a result, objects structured with a concaveor recessed bottom will nest on top of the raised chamber of attachment10 (as best understood from FIG. 11A, for example). The correspondingbase perimeter wall of the object added from above will fit around andcover the top outer perimeter edge/shelf/ledge 10 o of attachment 10 sothat the object and attachment form a modular assembly.

[0061] The present invention, embodied as various objects andattachments, will possibly be made of plastic, though other materialssuch as rubber, metal, concrete may be used for the structural integrityof the objects and attachments or as the materials for the objects andattachments themselves.

[0062]FIG. 2 illustrates how the attachment 10 would fit on standardsizes of traffic barriers 12 by straddling the barrier using its twodownwardly depending flanges 10 a, 10 b and the horizontal mountingsurface 10 c of FIG. 1. The barrier is usually a concrete body 12 a witha base 12 b and an upstanding substantially vertical wall portion 12 c.The base 12 b can vary from 24″ to 28″ across the bottom 12 d and has agenerally trapezoidal shaped cross-section. The upstanding substantiallyvertical upper wall portion 12 b, having generally parallel sides, risesand slightly narrows as it reaches its top. In a standard barrier, forexample, top side 12 e is at a height of approximately 32″ from the baseand varies from 6″ to 10″ in width across a substantially flat topsurface of the barrier. However, it can be appreciated that the shapeand dimensions of the barrier may be varied and are only provided asexemplary dimensions and shapes of a conventional barrier. Theattachments would use their downwardly depending flanges 10 a, 10 b forplacement on such a barrier. For example, attachment 10 could be placedon a portion of a New Jersey barrier, as seen in FIG. 2, with itsstandard dimensions. Some States' Department of Transportation specify abarrier with dimensions of 10″ across the top, 2′ 4″ at the base and aheight of 2′ 8″. The present primary attachment incorporating twodownwardly depending flanges are therefore designed to correspond andcomplement these dimensions so as to be placed securely on top of abarrier either with or without the assistance of mechanical fastening.

[0063] The downwardly depending flanges, as they are to be used formounting the barrier, are best understood in FIG. 2A, which illustrateshow the attachment will rest securely atop the barrier 12.

[0064] It is intended for attachment 10 to act as a singular attachmentplaced individually on top of the barrier as illustrated in FIG. 2. Itis also intended that attachment 10 act as a primary attachment orarmature that employs both top and side attachment mounting surfaces inorder to work in combination with a number of objects or secondaryattachments with corresponding mounting capabilities. FIG. 3 illustratesattachment 10 incorporated as an armature with mounting surfaces ontowhich other objects or secondary attachments can fit securely, such asthe planter attachment 14 of FIG. 3. FIG. 3A shows the primaryattachment 10 with the planter attachment 14, fitting securely upon thebarrier 12. The two downwardly depending flanges straddle the barrierand provide lateral support for the primary attachment and hence thesecondary attachment—the planter attachment. This barrier mountingcapability allows the primary attachment to act as an armature or baseupon which other secondary attachments can be affixed throughcoordinated mounting openings. Such openings could be found on thebottom of the planter attachment 14 a of FIG. 3B and the web 10 c ofprimary attachment 10 of FIG. 1.

[0065] Planter attachment 14 forms a planter box and includes a plantingchamber 14 b with two sidewalls 14 c, 14 d that run upward and parallelto each other and whose base 14 j is adapted for attachment to primaryattachment 10. The front and back walls 14 i, 14 f of the plantingchamber can be seen in FIG. 3 as arcs being curved outward and away fromeach other. This form creates a planter box with a large rectangular topopening and a smaller rectangular base. Base 14 j includes a centralgenerally planar upper support surface for supporting containers and agrooved lower surface with central projecting members or ribs 14 abetween recessed portions 14 g, which form mounting components forplanter attachment 14. As best seen in FIG. 3B and 11A, when members 14a are aligned and inserted into mounting openings 10 d, 10 e, and 10 fof web 10 c, base 14 j will nest with raised chamber 10 a of attachment10 and the outer peripheral portion 14 h of the lower surface ofattachment 14 will seat on shelf 10 o of attachment 10. As a result,base 14 j and attachment 10 are configured to create an interlockinginterface, as illustrated in FIG. 11A.

[0066] The present invention, embodied as a primary attachment 10 withmounting surfaces, allows for a myriad of amenities with complementarymounting capabilities to be attached to the traffic barrier 12. Inaddition to the primary attachment incorporating a planter attachment,the primary attachment could also incorporate other aestheticattachments as illustrated in FIG. 4, such as a railing attachment 16that is attached to attachment 10. The railing attachment has a recessedbottom 16 a (FIG. 4B), and a mounting component 16 b on its underside,both of which create an interlocking interface between the railing'sbase 16 c and web 10 c of primary attachment 10 as seen in FIG. 4. Thiscoupling mechanism, similar to the mechanism seen in FIG. 11, allows therailing attachment 16 to be disposed on top of the primary armature 10.Rail attachment 16 includes a wall 16 d that forms a handrail, which ispreferably integrally formed with base 16 c. For example, wall 16 d mayhave a height of approximately 4″ to 8″ and which preferably extendsperpendicularly from base 16 c and runs through the center down thelength of the attachment. An ornamental pattern 16 e, seen from both thefront and back of the attachment, is either molded into or die-cut awayfrom, or applied to the railing's side surface. The top side of wallcomprises a planar horizontal surface 16 f. FIG. 4A demonstrates how theattachment 10 and the railing attachment will rest upon the barrier 12with the handrail acting as a decorative cap to the barrier and theprimary attachment. Seen in section view, base 16 g of rail attachment16 has a slightly curved upward slope, from which the parallel verticalsidewalls 16 h of wall 16 d are formed.

[0067] Other aesthetic benefits to the barrier are illustrated in FIG.5, which shows decorative elements in the form of sleeves, screens, orpanels 18 that have been created with a printed, molded or die-cutpattern 18 a on them. These decorative elements 18, thin, vertical andplanar in form, are rectangular in shape and are sized to fit within thegrooves 10 h located on the two downwardly depending flanges 10 a, 10 bof primary attachment 10. A section view of the primary attachment andthe two downwardly depending flanges that will hold the signage can beseen in FIG. 5A. Grooves that form an ‘L’ shaped channel, 10 q, 10 p, 10h, 10 r, are located in and run along the inside bottom and inside sidesof the flanges create a framework with an open front 18 b but closedback 18 c. The open front 18 b allows for the display of decorativeelements. Introduced into the frames from an opening on the front andback topsides of the primary attachment, the decorative element slipsinto place within the grooved receptacle formed by channels 10 q, 10 p,10 h, 10 r, and 10 j as seen in FIG. 5. FIG. 5A illustrates how theseelements nest securely within the receptacle and how the elements willfit within the profile of the attachment 10 atop the barrier 12.

[0068] The present invention and its ability to straddle and secureitself upon a barrier, also creates other opportunities for theembodiment of the invention into objects that provide both aesthetic andfunctional benefits. FIG. 6 and FIG. 6A show the design of a benchattachment 20 to fit upon the barrier 12. Bench attachment 20 is formedto slip over the vertical walls of the barrier in FIG. 2, similar toattachment 10. The structure of the bench attachment is to be supportedand counterbalanced by resting its foot 20 f along the bottom of thebarrier. There are five main structural elements of the benchattachment. The first element comprises a downwardly depending backportion 20 a, which runs vertically along the upward wall of barrier 12and is located on the backside of the bench attachment. The secondportion 20 b forms the top side of the bench attachment that runshorizontally along the top side of the barrier and connects back portion20 a to a front portion 20 c. Portion 20 c runs parallel with the upwardwall of the barrier and acts both as the backrest portion of the benchattachment and as a way for securing the bench attachment to thebarrier. First portion 20 a in combination with second portion 20 b andthird portion 20 c form an inverted U-shaped structure that provides theprimary method of securing the bench attachment in place to barrier 12,similar to attachment 20. Bench attachment 20 further includes a fourthportion 20 d that runs generally parallel to the top side of the benchattachment and to the ground on which the barrier rests and makes up theseating plane of the bench attachment. The fifth portion 20 e of thebench attachment is angled back from the portion 20 d at an acute angleand makes contact with the base of the bench, with its distal edgeforming a foot to provide a foundation for the bench attachment.

[0069]FIG. 7 illustrates the way in which primary attachment 10 canincorporate a lighting attachment 22, either as decorative elements forpublic space, or as safety or warning lights for vehicular trafficzones. The lights/light bulbs themselves will be housed withindecorative encasements 22 a, 22 b, with the goal of providing aestheticor ornamental benefits to the barrier. Light attachment 22 includes abase 22 c and with encasements 22 a, 22 b mounted to base 22 c. Forillustrative purposes, the light encasements are illustrated as twoboxes 22 a, 22 b that have been molded into a top portion of base 22 c.Once again, primary attachment 10 contains mounting surfaces that allowfor the placement of light attachment 22 to the barrier, as described inFIG. 11. As would be understood from underside attachment 22 is fittedwith coupling devices capable of attaching to primary attachment 10. Inaddition, base 22 c is configured to enclose the top section of thefront and back frames 10 g of attachment 10. The encasements 22 a, 22 bemerge as two separate elements from a slightly crowned plane 22 dformed in base 22 c. FIG. 7A shows in elevation light attachment 22 andprimary attachment 10 atop the barrier 12.

[0070] The decorative patterned sleeves/screens 18 that were illustratedin FIG. 5 can also be embodied as signage 24 as shown in FIG. 8. Thepresent invention incorporated as signage can be inserted into theprimary attachment 10. A section view of the primary attachment 10 atopthe barrier 12 that will hold the signage 24 can be seen in FIG. 8A. Theintention of this embodiment of the present invention is for use withinparking lots, construction zones, and public gathering spaces. Thesesigns can be placed within the grooves 10 h, 10 p, 10 q, 10 r andchannel 10 i located on the two downwardly depending flanges 10 a, 10 bof the primary attachment 10. Grooves 10 h, 10 p, 10 q, 10 r that arelocated in and run along the inside sides of the flanges create aframework with a closed back and an open front that allows for thedisplay of the signs. Introduced into the frame from an opening on thefront and back topsides of the primary attachment, the signage slipsinto place within frame 10 g and is also held into place by the bottomchannel 10 i, allowing the sign to nest securely within the frame. FIG.8A illustrates how the signs 24 will fit within the profile of theattachment 10 atop the barrier 12.

[0071]FIG. 9 depicts the present invention incorporated as a utilityattachment 26, attached to the barrier of FIG. 2. The utility attachmentis designed to organize and/or store plumbing or electrical wires,during events, such as public gatherings or street fairs, or whereversuch utility is needed. For illustrative purposes, attachment 26 isshown as having a back portion 26 a and top portion 26 b, which hooksover and cover the top portion of the barrier 12 and having a frontportion 26 c that extends down the other side of barrier 12 and includesa base 26 d that is angled with respect to portion 26 c so as togenerally follow the shape of the base 12 b of barrier 12. Base 26 dincludes three upwardly flanges 26 e that form a passageway or channelthat is suitable for the placement of electrical or plumbing lines torest and extend along inwardly of flanges 26 f in the channel away frompublic interference. Flanges 26 e, 26 f, 26 g are made of a rigidmaterial that prevents substantial lateral movement of the utilities andkeeps them secure and close to the weight and sturdiness of thebarriers. FIG. 9A shows the utility attachment 26 as it would besupported by the barrier 12 of FIG. 2.

[0072] Similarly, FIG. 10 illustrates attachment 10 incorporating anupwardly directed framework attachment 28 into which elements 28 a, suchas fencing, plexi-glass, or signage can be accommodated. Similar toother secondary attachments embodied by the present invention, frameworkattachment 28 includes a base 28 b with a recessed bottom and one ormore mounting components on its underside, both of which create aninterlocking interface with primary attachment 10 similar to theprevious embodiments. The coupling mechanism located on base 28 b allowsframework attachment 28 and its additions to be disposed on top of theprimary attachment 10. The framework attachment 28 includes an upwardlyextending frame 28 d that projects upwardly from base 28 c, with aninner groove or ‘U’ channel 28 e that runs entirely along the insideedge of frame 28 d of the frame. Frame 28 d includes transverse members28 f and vertical members 28 g, 28 h that form the U-shaped frame 28 d.In the illustrated embodiment, U-shaped frame 28 is formed from twoL-shaped frame members, each with a separate base. However, it should beappreciated that the bases may be formed a single base and horizontalmembers 28 f may be formed by a single continuing horizontal member.When formed from two L-shaped frame members, each frame member may besupported by a separate primary attachment. Therefore, in theillustrated embodiment, framework attachment 10 is mounted to barrier 12using two primary attachments 10. Vertical elements 28A, such as signagepanels or the like, are then slid into place into groove 28 e and restsecurely within the two L-shaped frame members. FIG. 10A shows theheight of the framework attachment 28 as it would sit atop a barrier 12.

[0073]FIG. 11 is a section view that illustrates one way in which asecondary attachment, such as a planter attachment 14, and the primaryattachment 10 could fit together on the barrier 12. The planterattachment is created with a mounting surface on its underside. Themounting surface consists of one or more coupling members 14 a, as wellas a recessed or groove bottom 14 g, that forms an inverted chamber,both of which allow for the planter to be attached to the attachment 10.It is into this inverted chamber that a slightly smaller raised chamber10 n on top of attachment 10 will fit. This connection provides lateralsupport for the planter attachment as it nests atop the primaryattachment. Web 10 c on the primary attachment acts to connect thedownwardly depending flanges 10 a, 10 b. As noted, web 10 c can alsoprovide a mounting surface for securement of any type of secondaryattachments, such as the planter attachment 14, to the barrier 12. Theweb 10 c located on the top of the primary attachment allows for simpleconnections from complementary coupling members 14 a located on thebottom of the secondary attachments. FIG. 11A is a section view of theassembly of these parts 14, 10 on the barrier 12 and shows that theplanter attachment has a recessed bottom 14 h, and a mounting coupler orcoupling member 14 a on its underside, both of which create aninterlocking interface with the primary attachment 10.

[0074] The attachments, in all of their embodiments, should beunderstood as interlocking, interchangeable and configurable. It is thischaracteristic of the present invention that will allow it to providetraditional barriers with flexibility and adaptability of their use.Though they are individual objects, the present invention in its variousincorporations, are to be used in combination with one or more of theother embodiments of the invention. It is intended that the embodimentsbe placed atop a freestanding barrier in a series or in a system, asillustrated in FIG. 12. To do so, the lengths of the present inventionare determined by the optimum number that fit on an average 10′barrier—most likely the invention will be either 2.0′, 2.5′ or5.0′—fitting either two, four or five per barrier. FIG. 12 shows one ofa number of configurations that could occur with using the presentinvention 10 incorporated into just two other embodiments of theinvention, the planter attachment 14 and the ornamental rail attachment16.

[0075] The primary means of securing any attachment to the barrier isthe straddling method that has been illustrated in FIG. 2 and throughoutthe description of the drawings. If so desired, the attachment can besecured to the barrier from above, as has been described in FIG. 11 inthe illustration of the top surface on the primary attachment connectingthe downwardly depending flanges. The mounting surface can also act as aweb to secure the attachment to the barrier. However, as noted asecondary means of securing the primary attachment to the barrier may beused, such as by fasteners, which allows for the user to determine therelative permanence of that attachment, either temporarily or morepermanently affixed to the barrier. FIG. 13 illustrates a way in whichthe present invention can be simply bolted, pinned or screwed 30 a, 30b, 30 c into place on the barrier 12. In this embodiment, the primaryattachment includes on or more mounting openings 10 m, 10 s, 10 tprovided at their bottom portions, which illustrates the presentinvention's capability to be more securely mounted and fixed to thetraffic barrier through means such as: bolting, pinning or screwing.Mounting openings are strategically placed at both the top side of theattachment 10, as well as at the bottom portion, so as to provide asufficient amount of structural integrity for affixing the primaryattachment to the barrier through the use of fasteners that would beapplied through the mounting openings and into the barrier. FIG. 13Aillustrates that this secondary means of securing the present inventionto the barrier does not necessitate any reforming or redesigning of thebarrier as the foundation structure.

[0076] Other forms of secondary means for attaching the presentinvention to a barrier do call for the redesign of the barrier. Thoughthe present invention, incorporated as attachments, is still mounted tothe barrier from above, the attachments are designed with couplingmechanisms that can be joined to a barrier, which in this iteration, isnow designed with corresponding coupling surfaces and mechanisms. Anexample of this design can be seen in FIG. 14, which illustrates thepresent invention as a ‘snap-to-fit’ component 36 with a barrier 34 thatdesigned to cooperate with one or more attachments 36. Barrier 34includes a base 34 m with a series of upwardly extending invertedY-shaped members 34 a, 34 b, 34 c, 34 d, 34 e that are aligned andarranged in a spaced relationship to form a “saw-toothed” pattern ofopen and filled spaces. Each of these members includes an upwardrectangular member 34 f and a bottom portion 34 g that is a trapezoidalshape that forms a base 34 m. Members 34 f form a wall portion. Inbetween each member 34 a, 34 b, 34 c, 34 d, and 34 e, there is a smallerbase 34 h, which is also a trapezoidal structure, but smaller inproportion than bottom portion 34 g. These interstices act toaccommodate the downwardly depending flanges 36 a, 36 b, 36 c, 36 d ofattachment 36 and their coupling mechanisms 36 e, 36 f, 36 g, 36 h, thatlock into place on the underside of the front and back edges 34 j, 34 i,34 k, 34 l of the base 34 m. This structure allows the four downwardlydepending flanges to slip and lock into place in between the open spacesand also allows the planter box 37, which is formed in the upper end ofattachment 36 to rest securely along the top of the barrier.Furthermore, flanges 36 a, 36 b, 36 c, 36 d may be configure so as tolie in the same plane as members 34 f so as to appear as a unitary part.Both the barrier and its attachments are designed in order toaccommodate the addition and exchange of the attachments. In thisillustration the present invention is incorporated as a planterattachment. The attachment has a trapezoidal chamber 36 i with arectangular top opening that forms the planter box. FIG. 14 showschamber 36 i with sidewalls that are parallel 36 j, 36 k and the frontand back walls 36 l, 36 m that slope inward towards each other and intohorizontal wall 36 n.

[0077] As noted, on the feet of the four downwardly depending flanges 36a, 36 b, 36 c, 36 d are coupling mechanisms 36 e, 36 f, 36 g, 36 h thathave the ability to attach to the barrier along the base of the barrieralong edges 34 j, 34 i, 34 k, 34 l. Mechanisms 36 e, 36 f, 36 g, 36 hcomprise inwardly projecting fingers or ribs that provide a‘snap-to-fit’ coupling with the edges of base 34 m. This snap-fitcoupling utilizes the flexibility of the attachments to connect theattachment from above and onto the barrier. FIG. 14A illustrates the‘snap-to-fit’ component in profile, as a part that can be snapped onto abarrier, which has been designed to accept and hold the attachments. Insection, as seen in FIG. 14A, the planter box 37 has a profile of aninverted trapezoid with the upper portions of flanges 36 a, 36 b runningparallel and downward, with the lower portions angled outwardly at anobtuse angle. The lower edge of the lower portions are then angled backtowards each other for a short distance at the foot of the flanges toform hooks at the ends of flanges 36 a, 36 b. This ‘snap-to-fit’ methodof attaching the components to the barrier allows for a quick assemblyprocess and one that could accommodate various components and theirconfigurations.

[0078] The present invention, incorporated as attachments to thebarrier, has heretofore been described as relying on its downwardlydepending flanges to be secured to the barrier. In an effort to providemore stability or permanence to the attachment on the barrier, theinvention has employed secondary methods of affixing the attachment tothe barrier, such as bolting, screwing or other fastening mechanisms. Infurther iterations, the present invention has been incorporated as bothan attachment and a barrier, each of which now has been designed with acoupling mechanism in order to allow a more coherent method of affixingthe attachment to the barrier. Up until this point, the attachment hasalways mounted the barrier from above. However, FIG. 15 illustrates a‘slide-to-fit’ means for affixing the attachment 38 from the side to aredesigned barrier 39. In this iteration of the present invention, theinner profile of the attachment has changed and the outer profile of thebarrier has changed. The downwardly depending flanges 38 a, 38 b are nowdesigned with a coupling mechanism 38 c, 38 d that are inwardly facingribs or protrusions, which protrude inward from the insides of theflanges. This mechanism requires that the attachments be slid into placealong a barrier 39 that has been designed with grooves 39 a, 39 b thatrun horizontally across the length of the front and back faces of thebarrier. Though the present invention could still be embodied assignage, lights, handrails, etc., yet, for the purposes of illustratingthe concept, FIG. 15 shows the present invention embodied as a planter38. The planter chamber 38 e is designed in the same way as described inFIG. 14, with one set of walls 38 f perpendicular to the base and oneset of walls 38 g, sloped upward and away from the base, yet mid-wayalong the inside of the downwardly depending flanges 38 a, 38 b are theribs or protrusions 38 c, 38 d that run horizontally along the inside ofthe flange and acts as a rail. These rails will slide into thecorresponding grooves or tracks 39 a, 39 b that run alongside theoutside almost vertical walls of the barrier 39. FIG. 15A illustrateshow the rail and groove coupling mechanism forms a complementary profileto secure attachments to the barrier.

[0079] The present invention, in each of its embodiments, has addressedthe barrier as a single entity. The previous attachments have beendesigned to fit linearly atop one barrier at a time. In its most commonapplication, traffic barriers are used as such, placed end-to-end in alinear fashion. As already mentioned, it is the scope of the presentinvention to address the barriers as they are used in their lesstraditional sense. One instance is when barriers are placedface-to-face, or side-to-side, as opposed to end-to-end. It is in thisinstance that the present invention acts to bridge the barriers, andcreate a larger enclosed chamber in between the void of the twobarriers. By enclosing this space and forming a chamber, a certainutility to this space arises, and it suggests a new use, such as a spacefor a planter. Again, this type of bridging attachment relates directlyto the present invention as it employs the same straddling method inorder to be placed atop the barrier. This invention still uses thedownwardly depending flanges but in a slightly different manner.

[0080]FIG. 16 illustrates an attachment that straddles a pair ofbarriers that are arranged side-by-side. Attachment 40 includes outerdownwardly depending flanges 40 a, 40 b, and an inner downwardlydepending member 40 f, which depend from an upper web 40 c that spansthe top sides of barriers 12 when attachment 40 is mounted to thebarriers. Member 40 f depends from the medial portion of web and isspaced inwardly from flanges 40 a and 40 b to hereby define invertedgenerally U-shaped recesses for receiving the respective barrierstherein. Web 40 c includes a central recess that forms a chamber 40 h.In this form, attachment 40 again incorporates a planter, whichoptimizes the use of the space between the side-by-side barriers 12. Thesidewalls of the inner chamber 40 h may be in the shape of an invertedtriangle whose sides taper inward and eventually converge to form thebottom of the chamber.

[0081] As discussed, barriers that have been created to abut one anotherend-to-end are often arranged in non-linear configurations. Forinstance, more and more barriers are being used to serve the purpose ofenclosing a space around a building or monument. This requires thebarriers to be arranged at an angle with respect to each other, whichthey were not designed to accommodate. Therefore, the enclosed spaceremains unresolved both physically and aesthetically. If it is necessarythat two barriers meet at untraditional angles, there is no means forjoining the two ends of the barriers that are arranged at a generally90° angle. FIG. 17 begins to address this issue by illustrating a way inwhich attachment 42 of the present invention, embodied as a planter, canbe designed to accommodate, for example, barriers arranged at 30°, 45°,or 90° angular orientations. Attachment 42 still employs the use ofdownwardly depending flanges 42 a, 42 b, but in the illustratedembodiment, attachment 42 forms two perpendicular planter chambers. Thiscreates an elbow or L-shaped attachment or planter from which theflanges are used to mount two barriers. The attachment is designed tostraddle the barriers much like the planter 14 of FIG. 3 and handrail 16of FIG. 5. The difference here is that two attachments have effectivelybeen combined at an angle that corresponds to the needs of barriersbeing used to enclose a space. The flanges will still rest upon theupward portion of the barrier and FIG. 17A shows attachment 42 restingatop two barriers 12 placed perpendicularly to each other.

[0082] The actual design of the present invention is based on the twodownwardly depending flanges that allow the attachments to straddlebarriers. Though this design has been embodied throughout thesedrawings, exact design specifications, as they relate to the manufactureof this product and end-use of the invention as a salable product, arestill to be determined. One deciding factor in the design will be thechoice of material of the invention and its corresponding method ofmanufacture. FIG. 18 illustrates the present invention as a two-partassembly 44, as it could be assembled or placed on a barrier 12.Assembly 44 is configured as an attachment with a planter incorporatedtherein. For illustrative purposes FIG. 18 shows an attachment that hasbeen created as two parts 44 a, 44 b joined together, so as to besecured to the barrier in a back-to-back fashion, as opposed to theattachments mentioned previously that have been added from the top down.Each part 44 a, 44 b includes coupling components placed along theinside edge 44 c of parts 44 a, 44 b so as to create an interlockinginterface for the components to join together. The outside profile ofeach part begins at the base, which comprises a mounting flange 44 dwith a plurality of mounting openings 44 e for mounting the attachmentpart to the barrier through the use of bolts, pins, etc. Extendingupwards and outward from flange 44 d is a framework 44 f, which togetherwith mounting flange 44 d, form the downwardly depending flange 44 gthat runs parallel to the upward portion of the barrier 12. It is withinthis framework 44 f that signage or ornaments will be displayed.Extending from framework 44 g is one half of the planter and the surfacebearing that will allow the part to rest atop the barrier. In theillustrated embodiment, sides 44 i of the planter are curved outwardlyto form a flared planter box. The planter is, therefore, formed when thetwo halves of the planter are assembled together (such as shown in FIG.18A). As understood, the two downwardly depending flanges 44 g, 44 jeach host a framework for signage that is placed within the grooves thatrun along the inside edge of the framework 44 k. The framework holds theadded elements into place for their display through the opening in thefront of the flange 44 l. FIG. 18A is an elevation view of the invention44 illustrating the two parts assembled on the barrier 12.

[0083] While several forms of the invention have been shown anddescribed other forms of the invention will now become apparent to thoseskilled in the art. For example, one could easily imagine theembodiments of other amenities that straddle barriers and provide eitheraesthetic or functional benefits as a result of their attachment.Furthermore, the shapes and dimensions of the various attachments may bevaried.

[0084] Therefore, it will be understood that the embodiments shown inthe drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposesonly and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention which isdefined by the claims that follow.

I claim:
 1. A traffic barrier comprising: a concrete body forming a wallportion and a base, said wall portion extending upwardly from said base,and said base for resting on a support surface; and an attachment, saidattachment adapted for mounting to said body, said attachment providingat least one mounting surface for mounting an object to said concretebody wherein the object provides at least one of added utility and addedaesthetics to said concrete body.
 2. The traffic barrier according toclaim 1, wherein said attachment mounts to said wall portion.
 3. Thetraffic barrier according to claim 2, wherein said attachment straddlessaid wall portion.
 4. The traffic barrier according to claim 3, whereinsaid attachment includes downwardly depending flanges, said downwardlydepending flanges straddling said wall portion.
 5. The traffic barrieraccording to claim 1, wherein said base has a trapezoidal-shapedcross-section.
 6. The traffic barrier according to claim 1, wherein saidwall portion comprises generally parallel sides.
 7. The traffic barrieraccording to claim 1, wherein said attachment includes at least tworails for receiving a planar object therein.
 8. The traffic barrieraccording to claim 7, further comprising a planar object positioned insaid attachment between said rails.
 9. The traffic barrier according toclaim 8, wherein said planar object includes at least one of signage ora design.
 10. The traffic barrier according to claim 1, wherein saidattachment includes at least one mounting opening for securing saidattachment to said concrete body.
 11. The traffic barrier according toclaim 10, further comprising a fastener extending through said mountingopening and securing said attachment to said concrete body.
 12. Thetraffic barrier according to claim 11, wherein said fastener comprises abolt.
 13. The traffic barrier according to claim 1, wherein saidattachment includes an upper web, said upper web for positioning abovesaid wall portion, said web having said at least one mounting surface.14. The traffic barrier according to claim 13, wherein said upper webincludes a recess, said recess forming said mounting surface.
 15. Thetraffic barrier according to claim 14, further comprising atrough-shaped planter, said planter having at least one downwardlydepending member for engaging said recess to thereby mount said planterto said concrete body.
 16. The traffic barrier according to claim 15,wherein said upper web includes a plurality of recesses for forming aplurality of mounting surfaces.
 17. The traffic barrier according toclaim 14, further comprising a rail, said rail having at least onedownwardly depending member for engaging said recess to thereby mountsaid rail to said concrete body.
 18. The traffic barrier according toclaim 14, wherein said recess comprises an opening in said upper web.19. The traffic barrier according to claim 1, wherein said attachmentforms a bench.
 20. A traffic barrier comprising: a concrete body havinga base and a wall portion extending up from said base; an attachmenthaving a central member and a pair of downwardly depending membersdepending from said central member, said downwardly depending membersstraddling said body when said center member is positioned at a top sideof said wall portion; and an open-ended container provided at saidcentral member.
 21. The traffic barrier according to claim 20, whereinsaid open-ended container is integrally formed with said central memberwherein said open-ended container and said attachment comprise a unitarymember.
 22. The traffic barrier according to claim 20, wherein saidopen-ended container is adapted to releasably couple to said attachment.23. The traffic barrier according to claim 22, wherein said centralmember includes a plurality of mounting openings, and said open-endedcontainer includes a corresponding plurality of downwardly dependingcouplers for engaging said mounting openings of said central member tothereby releasably couple said open-ended container to said attachment.24. The traffic barrier according to claim 20, wherein said open-endedcontainer comprises a planter box.
 25. The traffic barrier according toclaim 20, wherein said attachment comprises two parts, said partsforming said pair of downwardly depending members and said centralmember when said parts are mounted to said base.
 26. The traffic barrieraccording to claim 20, wherein said attachment member is fastened tosaid body.
 27. The traffic barrier according to claim 20, wherein saidwall portion includes a plurality of open spaces, said downwardlydepending members aligned in said open spaces when said center member ispositioned at a top side of said wall portion.
 28. The traffic barrieraccording to claim 27, wherein said downwardly depending membersreleasably coupling to said base when said attachment is positioned atsaid top side of said wall portion.
 29. The traffic barrier according toclaim 28, wherein said open-ended container is integrally formed withsaid central member wherein said open-ended container and saidattachment comprise a unitary member.
 30. A traffic barrier comprising:a concrete body having a base and a wall portion extending up from saidbase; a primary attachment having a central web and a pair of downwardlydepending flanges depending from said central web, said central webhaving a plurality of mounting openings, and said downwardly dependingflanges straddling said wall portion of said concrete body when saidcentral web is positioned at a top side of said wall portion; and asecondary attachment releasably coupled to said primary attachment atsaid central web.
 31. The traffic barrier according to claim 30, whereinsaid secondary attachment includes a plurality of couplers for engagingsaid mounting openings of said central web of said primary attachment.32. The traffic barrier according to claim 31, wherein said secondaryattachment comprises a planter box.
 33. The traffic barrier according toclaim 31, wherein said secondary attachment comprises a rail.
 34. Thetraffic barrier according to claim 30, wherein said secondary attachmentcomprises a light assembly.